Sports and teenagers

My daughter is know 17, and i have told her before it was okay if she didn't make the high schoolgirls softball team. She's been playing softball all her life since tee-ball days. She's aways likes to play different sports, like cheer leading, track, volleyball, there is always a fall back plan if she doesn't make a certain sport. Keeping your child busy keeps them out of trouble, and also support her in trying a new sport!! 

Yeah, try to get her involved in other activities. If she's athletic, try track, baseball, you know. It's a hard question because at that age self esteem circles around social sets and accomplishments. But there are other areas in which she can make athletic accomplishments.

This is a good learning lesson for your daughter, if she is allowed to learn from it. Life is hard but fun, if you are allowed mto make mistakes and learn from them. I bet she is tougher than you can imagine, so let it go and let her handle it....she will be fine!!......Burt

As a teenager in sports myself, I can totally relate to this question. In boys basketball at my middle school (and probably girls as well) we have an "A" team, which is sort of like varsity, a "B" team, which is almost as good as "A," and four "C" teams. Now last year as a seventh grader I was on "C" team. No problem, I thought. This is my first year. All I have to do is make an impression this year and practice in the offseason and I'll make A/B next year. Well 8th grade rolled around and what do you know? I am still on "C." However, I love playing so much that that really doesn't matter to me. I know I probably will never make it to the NBA, but just the thrill of getting to play hoops now is enough for me. Which brings me to my point. If your daughter is that passionate about basketball, tell her that she is still playing on junior varsity at least. Sure, it may not be the varsity team that everyone is talking about, but she is still playing a game she loves, right? My advice to your daughter is this. Play hard whenever you get a chance, wether that be on varsity, junior varsity, outside of school leagues, or even pickup games. Continue to work hard toward your goal, even when all odds seem against you. Practice everyday in the offseason, even when you don't want to. Then come into tryouts next year and who knows? You just may be on varsity! Great things happen when we refuse to set our eyes off of our goals.

My brother didn't make the team as a junior either.  He worked his rear off all year and was a starter his senior year.  That team won the only state chamionship for Kokomo High School.  By the way, has your daughter ever heard of Michael Jordan?  He never played high school basketball and is now considered the greatest basketball player ever!  :)

As long as she gave it her best, she's a winner!  If she really wants it, she'll work even harder to make it next year. If she doesn't, she'll accept it and move on. Not everyone is destined to be a sports star. And, that's ok.